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Memorial Day in Chicago

By Barry Romo

Chicago's VVAW Memorial Day ceremony was one of the biggest and best this year. About 125 people gathered to hear speeches and make a statement with their presence.

Brooke Anderson, Barry Romo and Buzz Doyle at Memorial Day, Chicago 2004.

First to speak was Rosemarie Slavenas, whose son was killed in Iraq. Her poem for him brought the listeners to tears.

Next was Rob Sarra, Iraq Marine vet and former sergeant. VVAW meet him before he was released from active duty and has worked with him since. His speech was powerful, emotional and to the point. He is currently a Midwest contact for Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Longtime VVAW member Richard Tapia spoke about Vietnam, killing and the role of racism. He connected when he said that you have to dehumanize people before you can kill them.

Meg Miner, a Gulf War-era veteran and Air Force sergeant reminded people of who fights and who pays the price.

National Coordinator Joe Miller paid tribute to longtime VVAW friend Dave Dellinger, saying it was in 1966 that Dave reminded us not to equate the war with the warrior. Dave had built bridges with GIs and vets.

Ray Parrish, VVAW's GI counselor, talked about our military counseling program. (Read Ray's new column, "Leave No Vet Behind," elsewhere in this issue.)

We ended with placing flowers in the fountain to remember the dead on both sides of war. Just then a monsoon occurred, and I told everyone to run away. We met after near our office for barbecue and drinks and discussion and friendship.